Preview
Predicted Formations
Odds
Roma return to the pitch on Sunday evening when they host Sassuolo in the Italian capital.
Fresh off victories against Juventus and Real Sociedad, the Giallorossi have a chance to continue their positive run of form following their embarrassing defeat against Cremonese two weeks ago.
The hosts will be without manager Jose Mourinho after learning their appeal of his two-match ban was rejected by Lega Serie A on Saturday afternoon.Â
The Special One was handed the ban after a spat with fourth referee Marco Serra in the second half of their defeat against the Grigiorossi on the 28th of February. As a result, assistant Salvatore Foti will take charge of Sunday’s clash.
Roma are expected to make a number of changes to their formation due to an injuries to captain Lorenzo Pellegrini and Andrea Belotti in addition to the suspension of midfielder Bryan Cristante.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo boss Alessio Dionisi confessed he hopes the Giallorossi are a bit tired coming off their latest string of victories.
“We showed good team spirit last week (in the win over Cremonese), but we know that won’t be enough against Roma,” Dionisi told reporters during his pre-match press conference.
“Nonetheless, we’re going to Rome with the mindset of not only putting in a good performance but also earning a positive result. Roma are a very strong, physical team with important individuals.”
He continued, “Then we’ll also have to deal with the atmosphere in a sold out stadium. We know it’s going to be difficult, Sassuolo has never won in Rome and it won’t be easy, but we’re going there to show our ability.”
“Hopefully they’ll be fatigued from their midweek European commitment. Although, they still clearly have high quality individuals within the team, which means we’ll have to make up for it by playing as team.”
Finally, “We’ll have to be quick in attack and force them to adjust to our movements. If we’re too slow we’ll find ourselves dealing with their physicality.”
“The team will have to put on earmuffs to try and shut out the atmosphere of the stadium and play our game.”
ROMA (3-4-2-1): Rui Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Zalewski, Wijnaldum, Matic, Spinazzola; Dybala, El Shaarawy; Abraham
SASSUOLO (4-3-3): Consigli; Zortea, Erlic, Tressoldi, Rogerio; Frattesi, Lopez, Henrique; Berardi, Pinamonti, Laurientè